AECOM comes on board the Austin light rail project

AECOM has been selected by Austin Transit Partnership (ATP) as the delivery partner for Austin’s first all-electic light rail system. This comes after a vetting and evaluation process by the ATP. The first phase of the light rail project will span 10 miles and have 15 stations. These are set to enhance the mobility and connectivity of Austin transportation network. The Austin light rail has also been termed as a “key part” of the larger Austin Strategic Mobility Plan by AECOM officials.

The Dallas-based firm will handle the following service for the Austin light rail system project:

Project management
Environmental services
Design management
Rail activation
Operational readiness
Lead technical team of subconsultants

The cost of the project is still capped at $7.1 billion as per ATP official estimates. This will however be catered for in half by federal funding if the Federal Transit Administration’s Capital Investment Grant Program approves of the funding to the project.

Once completed, the new Austin light rail will connect major destinations across the city, including the University of Texas at Austin, and the Austin Airport in future expansions.

The partnership with AECOM will also see to the collaboration with Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) firms for the project. The DEB firms will come in as subconsultants for the project. This collaborations will strategically provide economic opportunities to the people of Austin and make them part of the project’s development.

Lara Poloni, the president of AECOM, expressed optimism of the Austin light rail project, terming the project a stimulant to “economic growth” in the region. Also made clear was that the project will be integral in, “protecting the existing environment and promoting a sustainable future for generations to come.”

Austin project connect light rail — Artistic impression of the Austin Project Connect light rail

Project Connect factsheet

Location: Texas, U.S

Client: City of Austin, CapMetro

Design and construction oversight body: Austin Transit Partnership (ATP)

Project scope: CapMetro Rail, CapMetro Rapid, CapMetro Express, new light rails – the Austin light rail lies here.

Austin light rail cost: $7.1 billion

The light rail delivery partner: AECOM

The light rail construction commencement date: 2027

Events in Austin light rail projected timeline

AECOM is expected to begin work in January. ATP will also initiate final design and construction contracts valued at more than $4 billion in January. The contracts will then be awarded in 2026, with construction breaking ground in 2027. As part of Project Connect, the $7.1 billion Austin light rail project expects completion by 2033.

ATP has however been facing some challenges that it hopes to resolve before major construction work start. These challenges include the securing of federal funds for the project and resolving a lawsuit that aims to stymie the construction plans. ATP also aims to secure the needed federal funds expected to cover around 50% of the project’s expenses by 2026.

Significance of the Project Connect light rail system

Project Connect light rail project is a community effort that aims to expand transit options throughout the Austin area. This is expected to be done with new light rail services – among other implementations across the city. The project will be significant for the Austin community as it will create employment opportunities. This is part of the reason why ATP believes that a truly comprehensive transit system can connect people to opportunities.

The project will also facilitate better transit access to healthcare, education, essential services, and other necessities throughout the city. Alongside this, the project will also lead to the development of more affordable housing projects in the area. The project is not only designed to help Austin, but also the United States – helping them move forward towards a future of limitless interconnectedness.

Cost of the project

ATP Executive Director, Greg Canally, said the federal grant is competitive, and that Austin light rail project is contingent on receiving it. He also noted that they are confident that the process will bring billions of dollars of federal money to Texas to facilitate the project. The allocation of federal funds through the Capital Investment Grants New Starts Program is integral to the project’s success.

Project Connect light rail $7.1 billion budget announced in June 2023 is an increase from a previous estimate of $5.8 billion in 2022. The $5.8 billion is also a decrease from a previous high-mark of $10.3 billion.

ATP also aims to use the money to passively invest in economic activities within Austin. The executive director also noted that the current costs are in plans to cushion for future inflation.

The $7.1 billion will be distributed in several areas of the project. More than $4 billion is expected to finance and facilitate the design, construction and engineering aspects of the project. $1.86 billion will be used for professional services such as consultancy services. $937 million will be used in real estate acquisition, while $1.11 billion is to be channeled to trains and ATP’s maintenance facility in Montopolis neighborhood.